Doha, Qatar: The second edition of Visit Qatar's Throwback Food Festival has kicked off at the Old Port of Doha, bringing together both locals and tourists for a delightful convergence of tradition and cuisine. This year’s festival, which runs throughout the month of Ramadan, introduces new exciting experiences aimed at enriching visitors’ interactions with the country’s rich heritage.
The Throwback Food Festival celebrates Qatar’s local roots through traditional cuisine and cultural showcases, inviting everyone to immerse themselves fully in the rich, vibrant past of the nation. Hamad Al Khaja, Manager of Festivals & Events Delivery at Visit Qatar, expressed the event’s significance, stating: "Throwback Food Festival is a unique experience celebrating Qatar's rich heritage through various events, including traditional cuisine, cultural performances, and interactive competitions. This year, we have expanded our activities to include heritage markets, traditional games, folk tales, and artistic performances reflecting Qatar's cultural identity. Through this event, we aim to provide an integrated experience blending authenticity of the past with modernity of the present."
This festival is more than just food; it’s about creating memories. One of the standout features is the ‘Dakkan’ initiative, which aims to bring the flavors of old Qatar back to life. Visitors can explore the old souks, sampling culinary delights reminiscent of the Tayyibin generation. This unique experience not only allows visitors to taste traditional foods and sweets but also to relive their childhood through the flavors distinct to their upbringing.
The festival also boasts engaging elements such as the Folk Games Kiosk, where participants can join competitions centered around Qatari traditions. The lively atmosphere reflects the spirit of Ramadan, encouraging community interaction and cultural exchange.
For those seeking artistic engagement, the Throwback Food Festival Theatre offers myriad activities inspired by Qatar's heritage. Festival-goers will enjoy interactive competitions like 'Kahoot,' featuring questions related to popular foods, traditional crafts, and heritage events with valuable prizes for winners. Beyond quizzes, there's a 'Treasure Hunt' competition, where participants solve puzzles steeped in heritage as they engage with different stalls to unearth secrets from the past.
One highlight of this theater experience is the Hakawati, who shares enchanting stories about the history of local cuisine and hospitality, complemented by sound effects and traditional costumes to evoke the era being portrayed. For families, the Puppet Theatre presents captivating puppet shows narratively intertwining Qatari cuisine and the importance of traditions, effectively appealing to younger audiences.
For culinary enthusiasts, the Throwback Food Festival hosts the ‘Local Flavour Challenge,’ where chefs showcase their creativity by preparing traditional Qatari dishes with modern twists. This year also includes the 'People's Taste Challenge' where attendees are engaged to vote on their favorite dishes. A particularly exciting 'Secret Ingredient Challenge' will test the chefs' improvisation skills as they create dishes using unexpected ingredients.
Adding to the vibrant experience, the festival will feature live musical performances highlighting traditional songs and rhymes often heard at majlis, weddings, and during food preparation activities. Festive drumming, oud playing, and use of marwas will immerse visitors more deeply, producing authenticity to their festival experience.
"Garangao night will be ready to showcase new colors, joy, and memorable experiences, making it one of the most animated nights of the festival," remarked Al Khaja, emphasizing the importance of integration and engagement for this year's visitors.
Aside from culinary delights and cultural experiences, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has reassured the public about food safety during this exciting festival season. They confirmed via social media platforms stating, "Local markets in the State of Qatar do not carry the 'Maragatty' chicken broth product from Egypt, which has been recalled due to containing banned artificial colors." The MoPH's announcement aimed to alleviate concerns, affirming stringent regulatory procedures for all food items imported to Qatar to maintain the safety and quality of products available to consumers.
The community can query any food safety-related concerns through the Qatar Healthcare Unified Contact Centre at 16000. This proactive communication effort reinforces the Ministry's commitment to public health, particularly during festive seasons where food consumption is prevalent.
Visit Qatar is heralding this year’s Ramadan with its campaign entitled "Welcome Our Dear Neighbours," aimed at inviting visitors from the GCC region to experience this month’s vibrant activities and interactive engagements surrounding the festival. The campaign perfectly aligns with the festival’s overarching theme, “Ramadan is Better With You,” emphasizing the collective spirit of community and shared experiences during this holy month.
Overall, the Throwback Food Festival encapsulates not just the essence of Qatar's rich culinary heritage, but also instills the importance of community, authenticity, and the celebration of cultural transitions from past to present. It invites every guest to partake, discover, and relish the interconnected experiences of food and tradition, making it one of the must-visit events this Ramadan season.